I, Daniel: see verse 2 as well as the earlier references.

Vision: the word thus translated here differs very slightly from the usual word for a “vision,” and some commentators feel that the difference is intentional because it refers, not to an internal impression on the imagination, but to a real (although extraordinary) external display. For this reason some versions render it differently: “the sight” (Anchor Bible); “the apparition” (New Jerusalem Bible). Most versions, however, make no such distinction.

Alone: this qualifies the verb saw and is not intended to describe Daniel’s circumstances as a whole. As the context indicates, there were others with him, but he was the only one to see the vision. Note the similarity of this account with the experience of Paul recorded in Acts 9.

The men who were with me: New Revised Standard Version revises this to “the people who were with me,” while Revised English Bible has “those who were near me.” There is no special emphasis on the maleness of those accompanying Daniel at this point.

A great trembling fell upon them: the context seems to suggest that this fearful reaction may have occurred before the vision actually fully appeared. So in some languages it may be necessary to make this clear by saying something like “at the very beginning of the vision, they were very frightened” or “before I actually saw the vision, the men ran away and hid because they were very much afraid.” In some languages the way of expressing great fear will be quite idiomatic: “their stomachs were up high,” “their livers were agitated,” or “they saw great terror.”

They fled to hide themselves: the purpose of their running away was to hide. Some will say, however, “they ran away and concealed themselves.”

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .